COMPETITIVE action returns for East Lothian’s six rugby clubs on Saturday – including a tasty derby match – as the first rounds of the National League Cup and the Edinburgh Shield take place.

And for both Musselburgh and Haddington, tomorrow's (Saturday) cup ties also mark their first under new coaches.

National League Division 1 side Burgh, who are now under the guidance of Grant Fraser and Graeme Paterson, welcome Biggar from the league below to Stoneyhill.

After a good pre-season, Paterson was looking forward to this weekend. He told Courier Sport: “We’re one of the higher-ranked sides in the National League Cup so a win on Saturday would give us a good shot at a cup run, which is important for us, but for the club as well off the field.

“Pre-season has been good and we’ll have a good squad to pick from after training this week.”

The 48-year-old said of the Honest Toun club’s weekend opponents Biggar: “They’re always a tough team to play against but it’s hard to know what teams have done in the summer until you play them.

“We’ll just concentrate on ourselves and making sure we’re ready.”

Also at home on Saturday, National League Division 2 club Preston Lodge welcome Hillhead Jordanhill, also from a league below their county opponents, to the Pennypit.

And Kieran Cooney will take charge of Haddington for the first time as they travel to fellow National League Division 3 side Newton Stewart.

Player/coach Cooney, who arrived from Kelso in the summer to replace Rhodri Thomas, said: “I’m really happy with where we’re heading.

“We’ve got a great group of players that have been consistent with their commitment and efforts throughout pre-season.

“Everyone at the club has really helped the new players settle in, including myself, and there’s a lot of good work going on behind the scenes so everyone is looking forward to the new season.”

Meanwhile in the Edinburgh Shield there is a county derby, with North Berwick playing host to Dunbar, while Ross High start off their season in Edinburgh with a trip to Forrester.

All three National League clubs get their league season under way next Saturday (September 1), as do East 1 duo North Berwick and Ross High, while East 2 club Dunbar must wait to September 8.